City Continues Extensive Larviciding Program
Released: 10:00 a.m.
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NEWS @ A GLANCE:
After conducting a successful spring larviciding program, the Insect Control Branch is continuing its aggressive larvidicing program in response to the significant rains that the City received over the past two weeks. (for more details, please read the full media release below) |
WINNIPEG – June 19, 2008 – Nuisance Mosquito Control Program – After conducting a successful spring larviciding program, the Insect Control Branch is continuing its aggressive larvidicing program in response to the significant rains that the City received over the past two weeks. Large pools of standing water and warmer temperatures have created ideal conditions for the development of mosquito larvae.
The majority of the standing water sites have moderate to high levels of mosquito larvae which may potentially result in a large emergence of adult nuisance mosquitoes in the next few days. However, over the past 10 days, the weather conditions have allowed both ground crews and helicopters to make excellent progress in carrying out larviciding within both Winnipeg and the surrounding 10km capital region area.
Today the city-wide Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) rating remains at medium. With an AFA of medium, the Insect Control Branch will begin residual treatments in localized areas with permethrins, an environmentally friendly product made from the chrysanthemum flower, once the adult mosquito population begins to emerge. Residual treatments will be applied to localized areas of long grass and bushes and shrubs where adult mosquitoes rest during the day.
The weather and effectiveness of the larviciding and residual treatments will determine if the AFA rating moves from medium to high. Adult nuisance mosquito traps will now be monitored daily. To date, trap counts continue to be virtually zero. Information on nuisance mosquito trap counts, as well as other AFA factors is available at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.
At this time, none of the criteria exist in order to implement a residential fogging program. However, the Insect Control Branch will continue to monitor the data on a daily basis and will provide an update if conditions change.
In accordance with the City’s Adult Mosquito Control Policy and the City’s Pesticide Use Permit, three criteria must be met for fogging to occur:
- A minimum trap count of 25 female mosquitoes for three consecutive nights;
- The Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) which is one city-wide rating, must be HIGH; and,
- One or more of the quadrants of the city is in the range of 100 female mosquitoes.
The City is once again strongly encouraging property owners to eliminate standing water on their properties as private properties account for one-half of larval development.
Citizens may register for a buffer zone if they do not wish fogging to be carried out on or adjacent to their property. Citizens may register by contacting the Insect Control Branch in writing at 3 Grey Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2L 1V2, or by fax at 311 or by registering on line at Winnipeg.ca/bugline. Please allow up to 72 hours for processing.
Citizens may also register for email notification regarding fogging activities by visiting our website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline They can also register for telephone notification by calling the Insect Control Branch’s Bugline at 311 and leaving their name, address and phone number. Once registered, residents will receive automated phone or email notification identifying the area(s) of the City in which the Insect Control Crews are intending to work, weather permitting.
Cankerworm Control Program
As of this week, citizens are now seeing significant defoliation and the worms are beginning to hang on their threads. Effective today, the Insect Control Branch is increasing its cankerworm control program to 7 days a week. Spraying is continuing in areas with significant larval populations. Over the past three weeks, the program has completed treatment in Insect Management Areas 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 28 (Assiniboine Park) and 50 (Kildonan Park).
Starting at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2008 crews will continue treatment in Insect Management Areas 11 and 13 and upon completion crews will begin treatment in Insect Management Area 44.
Treatment is now occurring seven nights per week from 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m., weather permitting. Spraying will not occur if there is significant rainfall or winds are greater than 20 km/h. Treatment is conducted utilizing BTk, a biological product, which is sprayed from high pressure tree sprayers directly onto the foliage of the trees.
It is anticipated that the program will last for approximately 1-2 more weeks when the cankerworms will stop feeding and prepare for their next stage of life, known as the pupa stage. Webbing and browning of the leaf veins are usually good indicators when spraying is no longer effective
A Public Service Announcement will be issued daily providing information on what treed areas of the city will be sprayed that night. This announcement will also be posted on the Insect Control website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.
Please refer to the back of the 2008 MTS white pages or visit our website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline for a map of the Insect Management Areas.
Interested individuals may acquire more information by contacting the City’s Bugline at 311, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by visiting the City’s Insect Control website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline. |
